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Race report twofer: a 5k and a 4m

We’re in that part of the year where it’s mostly gross to run outside. Not much has been going on in the way of training. I’very been hovering around 20 miles a week but my longest run has been around 7 miles so I don’t feel like I’ve made any huge improvements.

I ran a 5K June 7 for Indy Pride and it was awful so I wasn’t all eager to get over here and write about it. Here’s a list I prepared of all my excuses:

I had done very little speed work.

I was sick (I think more sick than I wanted to admit).

I had just started my period (AGAIN– I think I’ve had my period for three of my last four races).

I went out way too fast and spent the last two miles just trying not to throw up.

It was bad, you guys. I achieved my 5k PR when I was about 12 weeks pregnant (25:06) and was aiming for something with a 24: on it but ended up finishing in 26:08. Embarrassing.

Anyway, so it’s been really hot but I needed redemption from that mess of a race so I recommitted to my weightlifting and conditioning routine and maybe it’s making a difference. I’m going up in weight, feeling stronger and noticing a little more definition. Last week we had a bit of a break from the heat so I was able to do a little speedwork and some longer runs. I had initially wanted to do a hill workout once a week but it’s hard to make that work without paying for childcare or waiting until evenings (when I’ve got other shit going on) or weekends (when I’d rather do a long run). So I’ve been more consistent with the weights.

Yesterday I ran the Run 4 Freedom. I like to mention as often as possible that my 4 mile PR is 30:45. I hit that one back in 2013 and it’s actually my fastest official pace at any distance. I haven’t even come close to 7:40s since then so I was 1000% certain I wouldn’t PR, but I thought it would be nice to come in around 33-34 minutes. (I lowered my standards a bit since the catastrophe in June.)

It went a lot better than I expected! I finished in 31:52 and placed 2nd or 3rd in my age group. (The printout at the finish said 2nd place but the website later said 3rd; I have the 2nd place ribbon so whatever.) The course may have been a little short (I don’t think it was certified) but it was a small race close to home and a nice confidence builder. (Well, the photos weren’t…lol.)

Couldn’t get my fucking armband fastened.

Help me I’m dying.

And those aren’t even the worst. There’s a photo of me nearing the finish where it looks like every part of me is loose and rippling. It’s enough to almost make me never want to wear shorts again. #fattalktuesday

My next race is a half marathon in September. I’d love to race a 10k or 15k between now and then, but it’s not bloody likely. All the summer races around here are 5Ks and triathlons. I could do a quarter trail marathon in August but it’s 50 bucks and I don’t like to pay that much for just 6 miles. The half I’m signed up for was only $40! #poor

Temps are going to be back up in the fuckingkillme range again this week, so I may resort to some speed and/or hill sessions on the treadmill, but it’s better than running slow to medium-slow outside, which is about all I can handle in 80+/80% humidity.

It’s usually not quite as humid here but the high temp is 100 every day for the next week. I’ve been doing almost all of my speed work on the treadmill. I don’t find it as beneficial as the track but I’d rather get a little slower this summer than die of heat exhaustion.